The MTA is set to pay an unprecedented $182 million in settlements related to a tragic 2015 train crash in the northern suburbs of New York City that resulted in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to more than a dozen others.
This substantial amount was awarded in July 2024 after a jury in Westchester County found the transit agency, which operates Metro-North Railroad, mainly liable for the incident. The crash occurred when the train driver didn’t stop in time and collided with an SUV that was stuck on the tracks, as reported by lohud.com.
The bulk of the settlement, around $153 million, will be distributed to the families of five commuters who lost their lives on February 3, 2015. These victims tragically met with an accident during rush hour when a Harlem Line train veered onto the tracks and struck an SUV driven by Ellen Brody, a mother of three.
Brody was killed in the crash as well, and her family pointed fingers at the risky Commerce Street intersection, which has since been upgraded to improve safety with traffic lights and other measures.
The accident caused Brody’s car’s gas tank to explode, leading to severe burns for several victims as a fire engulfed the front of the train.
According to lohud.com, a significant portion of the funds will be allocated to the family of Joseph Nadol, a 42-year-old Metro-North rider. Nadol, a stock analyst with a Harvard education and a father of three, had an estimated lifetime earnings potential over $120 million, and his family is set to receive $79 million.
The family of scientist Robert Dirks, 36, is to receive $35 million, while the survivors of 53-year-old financial executive Eric Vanderker are receiving $25 million. Relatives of 41-year-old IT specialist Aditya Tomar are to receive $10 million, and the family of Walter Liedtke, aged 69, will get $4 million.
Additionally, the settlement includes a share of Brody’s $1.3 million insurance payout and a portion of the $3.2 million settlement with the Town of Mount Pleasant. Approximately 30% of the funds will be directed toward attorney fees.
This settlement has been sealed by a judge following a review by lohud.com and is currently not accessible to the public, based on court records.
MTA officials did not reply to inquiries for comment on Sunday.
